Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Charlie Ballantine - East by Midwest
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Charlie Ballantine is a guitarist whose instrumental finesse may well call to mind the delicate touch of Chet Atkins. In this album, he offers a jazz/picking blend, steeped in the lingering echoes of Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard that still seem to float in the city's air. Since relocating to the East Coast a few years ago, the change in scenery, the new collaborators, and the vibrant atmosphere have infused his music with a fresh dynamic;... read more
Scott Reeves - Portraits and Places
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Alto flugelhorn player and conductor Scott Reeves leads a sophisticated big band through an intelligent collection of originals. the 17 piece band includes all star Steve Wilson" who shines his soprano with a voice and dialogue on the gliding strut of "Osaka June" while his alto is included in the three movement "L & T Suite" during the bopping "Wants To Dance" with Andy Watson adding a soft shoe on the drums. The crisp rhythm team of Watson... read more
Anthony Branker & Imagine - What Place Can Be for Us?
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The esteemed composer Anthony Branker returns with his 8th release on the Origin label, where 10 pieces surround the idea of 'place' and how it pertains to inclusion and belonging, and he's got a large cast of players for the passionate, rhythmic affair.
"The Door Of No Return" starts the listen with Alison Crockett's expressive spoken word alongside Donald Edwards' frisky drums and Pete McCann's spirited guitar that's complemented by... read more
Arthur Kell Speculation Quartet - Live at LunÀtico
by Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
Exciting eclectic jazz Arthur Kell Speculation Quartet - LIVE AT LUNÀTICO: Bassist Kell's upcoming release (17 November, 2023) is certainly among the best of the exciting eclectic jazz albums we've had the pleasure to review (yet) in 2023... first, here's a short clip of the group performing together...
In addition to Arthur's brilliant bass work, you'll hear Brad Shepik - guitar; Nate Radley - guitar and Allan Mednard - drums...... read more
Brent Jensen - More Sounds of a Dry Martini
by Joe Barth, Jazz Guitar Today
Playing Guitar for Sounds of a Dry Martini One of the most beloved saxophonists in jazz history is Paul Desmond.JGT contributor Joe Barth explores 'guitar support' in the Paul Desmond tribute albums. Though best known for his classic hit "Take Five" with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Paul recorded several great albums with guitarists Jim Hall and Ed Bickert. Guitarist Jamie Findlay and saxophonist Brent Jensen pay tribute to the albums... read more
Greta Matassa - Portrait
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Vocalist Greta Matassa has a hint of Carmen McRae's tone in her voice as she sings with richness and wanderlust on this collection of standards. Teamed with Darin Clendenin/p, Clipper Anderson/b, Mark Ivester/dr and Alexey Nikolaev/sax, is luscious on Latin material like the sleek "Baubles Bangles and Beads" as well as the suave samba, "The Beat of My Heart" with Nikolaev's warm tenor sax. Anderson gives thick solo intros to a swinging "Gone... read more
Lorin Cohen - Home
by Yoshi Kato, Downbeat Magazine
Double-bassist Lorin Cohen plays regularly with pianist Monty Alexander and vibraphonists Joe Locke and Stefon Harris, and those gigs are reflected in Home, the bassist's debut album. By bringing aboard steel pan player and U.S. Virgin Islands native Victor Provost, Cohen, a Chicago native, revisits the reggae and Caribbean sounds he heard as a child while vacationing in South Florida with his family.
Cohen presents his deep, mahogany... read more
Mattias Svensson - Embrace
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Swedish bassist, Mattias Svensson, first met pianist Bill Mays when they recorded in a Japanese studio in 2009. It was Svensson's debut trio recording. This inspired them to work together in the future. They toured together and planned to record more awesome music. Mattias assembled this session in Copenhagen with Mays and drummer Morten Lund, his longtime trio mate with the famed Jan Lundgren Trio.
Their opening tune is "My Toots Toots... read more
Looking for a specific review?
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect